Profile
Creativity … is the spice of life … along with quality and attention to detail, is what sets Niehaus & Co. Architects apart from its opposition in our ever competitive world
We are able to offer you a full Architectural Service, covering the Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Leisure markets. What we have done we can prove with sure reference upon request with many a repetitive client.
A summary of our Services offered are as follows:
STANDARD
- Appraisal and definition of the project
- Design concept (full 3D mode on request)
- Design development
- Technical documentation (including Council approval, construction drawings and details)
- Project administration, inspection and quality control
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
- Consultation
- 3D Modeling (computer generated, walk through presentation)
- Perspectives
- Interior Design
OTHER
- Landscape concept
BACKGROUND – Ryno Niehaus (Architect)
He is the founder of Niehaus&Co, has over 30 years experience in the architectural field. Since completing his studies at the University of Pretoria in 1989, he gained extensive experience in the residential market with the very well known Johannesburg based firm, formerly known as Louis Louw Apostolellis Bergenthuin & Slee. During this 5 year period he successfully handled projects which include corporate offices, up-market residences, holiday homes, cluster developments, townhouse developments, as well as small to extensive additions and alterations.
Then followed by the running of his own practice up to May 1997, based also in Johannesburg, he continued along the set margins of experience. An up-market cluster development comprising 64 units exposed a new market in the Midrand area. On the International front, large private residences were done – up to 1800m² - in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Ryno then joined Monex Design - Century City, Cape Town - to head up the Commercial Department of this company. Focus was upon Commercial design for the purpose of land sales and feasibility studies. Projects included sectional title offices, corporate offices and the R50m Dockside Discotheque, Cape Town – of which he was the project architect. Dockside Cape Town is a world-class discotheque and a first of its kind in South Africa. It accommodates up to 5000 people and is located next to previous well known Ratanga Junction Theme Park at Century City - Cape Town (the main focus of Monex Design at the time of employment.
In January 1999 he founded the Architectural and Interior Department of the international awarded retail design company Liz Muller Design. Ryno has managed the budget and concept for the interiors of PriceWaterhouse Coopers – Cape Town. He was also appointed as the aesthetics and interior architect on the Hout Bay Medical Centre. Shop-front design was part of his involvement in this Company.
Ryno Niehaus Architecture was then founded in 2000 with vision to establish a new innovative practice to compete with the best in South Africa. Projects included the concept of the entertainment zone on the Sharjah Mega Mall (Dubai), the second phase on the Dockside development (entertainment, edutainment, retail and offices), residences, additions and alterations. We were involved in the planning of a number of private coastal game reserves in the Western Cape. Focus shifted to Eco-friendly architecture and farm-style living. Shopping Centre design and Interior design for a Bar-Restaurant in Century City’s Canal Walk was some of our projects.
In 2004 an opportunity presented itself to broaden his scope of expertise with the well known and well acknowledged and established firm, TC Design. During the period from 2004 to 2007 Ryno was involved in the hotel concepts, the large scale concept on a development on Swartvlei for Southnet (comprising hotels, a yacht club, 2 golf courses and clubhouses, an equestrian estate, retirement facilities, etc, etc) This was fought and rejected by the community. The residential side of residential design expertise was strengthened by numerous development opportunity with large scale developers. Ten cluster developments was endeavored for Calgro Development Company, and was well advanced during the last 12 months of employment by the practice. During this period Ryno was the author of the new approximately 4000m² guest house for the Billion worth of Department Foreign Affairs campus ( completed in 2009), again acknowledging specific and unique design requirement through client brief and specification.
He then joined Varsity colleagues, focusing forward. Yet again horizons are broadened by the likes of large scale mixed use development, industrial projects, local and international commercial and residential developments. This was trumped by the two latest complete projects ready and operating for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Brazil, the favorite team is hosted by the 5star The Fairway Hotel and Conference Centre. The project incorporated the adjoining entrance to well established Randpark Golf Club and complimenting Chapel and Spa serving both facilities. Lastly, in the prospective future he will proceed with a R100m plus, VERY unique authentic Romanesque palazzo for a very well known and acknowledged businessman.
DESIGN OUTLOOK AND STYLE
Style is old, but what you do with the influence of style and client brief is unique and priceless!!! Ryno has successfully mastered many a design style – from modern and minimalist to designing in the ‘revival’ styles.
Our emphasis lies in a proper brief – if we know what the specifics of the requirements of our clients are, the project, in our view is already halfway there. The Brief is exactly what we deliver,
complimented with our best expertise and our best effort. Our motto is: “the difficult problems we solve immediately, the impossible takes a while longer”. We also choose to involve our client, especially on residential projects, in the design process by having ‘workshop’, (design
development) meetings. This not only makes you, our client, part of the creative process, but also ensures a more satisfactory end product.
During the design stage we can also make use of an additional cutting edge 3D reality ‘walk-through’ as well as ‘walk-around’ service. This powerful tool enables you to feel 100% confidant on what the end product will offer.
Our point of difference in the design process lies in a well-considered end product. This includes not only the building, but also a full understanding of the interaction between Architecture and the immediate environment - the building, the interior as well as the exterior environment of the project. This also includes the interior design and décor as well as landscaping designs. To emphasize this - the successful marriage of and interaction between all these design aspects form an integral part of the whole - the direct environment, which is exactly how it is seen.
…last saying… seeing is not believing, but believing to see!!!
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
During the design development and detailing process, it is vital to liaise with our clients - constant decisions need to be made on materials to be used and finishes required. The budget, of course plays a vital roll during this refining process.
Understanding that the implementing of the design on site is directly relevant to the information supplied, great emphasis is placed on the documentation and specification of the project. Niehaus&Co proudly boasts a highly motivated team of technical support that values the quality of product we deliver.
OTHER SERVICES
We offer our clients the option to make use of our Interior Design services (full service) as well as conceptualizing the landscape on your project (concept only).
Should you however wish to make use of your own specialists in these fields, we can assure you of our full co-operation.
CONCLUSION
Having successfully completed a vast range of projects and knowing what it takes, every effort will be made to advise you and also to ensure appointment of the best specialists and contractors for your specific project.
Niehaus&Co values our clients and specifically their wants. Client satisfaction is the forefront of our business!
With zest we also aim to infiltrate the International market. Now having a broader spectrum of services we can present and have confidence to accompany it. We pride ourselves in the broadness of our experience and design ability, incorporating many facets of the architectural industry….and counting!!! You can dream it…we can do it!!!!
We look forward to assisting you and assure you of our best service, always!
…. Remember – creativity is the spice of life …!
RYNO NIEHAUS
NIEHAUS & CO. ARCHITECTS
